---
id: "CVE-2026-16884"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-16884"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-16884"]
title: "IBM API Connect: XML external entity flaw leaks sensitive server information"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 9.9
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "vendor"
products: [{"name": "api-connect", "fixed": ["12.1.1.3"], "affected": ">= 12.1.0.0, <= 12.1.1.2", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: []
tags: ["api-gateway", "ibm-api-connect", "on-prem", "self-hosted", "vendor"]
not_affected_if: ["version-outside-range"]
published_at: "2026-11-07T05:18:22+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-07T05:45:57+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-07T06:02:17+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-16884", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-07T05:45:57+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7295635", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-07T06:02:17+00:00", "cites": ["https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7295635", "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7290205", "https://app.opencve.io/cve/CVE-2026-16884"]}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# IBM API Connect: XML external entity flaw leaks sensitive server information

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-16884 (this .md is for agents)

IBM API Connect versions 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 process XML input that can reference external entities. A remote attacker can use this XML external entity (XXE) injection to obtain sensitive information from the server.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:api-connect affected >= 12.1.0.0, <= 12.1.1.2 fixed 12.1.1.3

## How to check

Check your IBM API Connect V12 version (management, gateway, portal and analytics subsystems): 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 is affected, 12.1.1.3 is the fixed release. Versions 10.0.8.x are not listed for this CVE. IBM's CVSS vector rates it network-reachable with no authentication (AV:N/PR:N); IBM's text does not say which endpoints take the XML.

## Fix

Upgrade IBM API Connect to v12.1.1.3 (IBM Fix Central; release notice: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7290205).

## Timeline

- 2026-11-07T05:45:57+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-16884
- 2026-11-07T06:02:17+00:00 analyst https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7295635 — NVD/IBM CNA data (via OpenCVE) gives range 12.1.0.0-12.1.1.2 and fix v12.1.1.3, linked to IBM bulletin node/7295635 (summary: addressed in v12.1.1.3). The 78KB bulletin was truncated in my reads, so I did not see the CVE-2026-16884 entry or the workaround section in IBM's own words; pwn.watch (secondary) says IBM lists no workarounds. Nothing marked verified. Endpoints and default-on remain unknown. No exploitation or PoC found. Same bulletin covers 200+ CVEs, so upgrade covers siblings.

## Documents

- [advisory] IBM Security Bulletin: Multiple Vulnerabilities in IBM API Connect (v12.1.1.3) https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7295635
- [fix] IBM API Connect v12.1.1.3 is now available https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7290205
- [mentions] CVE-2026-16884 - OpenCVE (carries IBM vendor solution text) https://app.opencve.io/cve/CVE-2026-16884

## From the sources

IBM API Connect 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information due to an XML external entity (XXE) injection.

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